My students go crazy for "horror" books and I loved Shakirah Bourne's Nightmare Island. This is also nice and creepy and brings in Caribbean mythology.

I did not read the first book, which is something I caution my students to not do (whoops). However, I was able to follow the story well enough to enjoy it thoroughly. I have added the first one to my Scholastic cart and plan on adding this one to my library as well.

Shakirah Bourne is an author to watch and I think that I will continue to add her books to my library.

Thank you to Scholastic and Net Galley for the eARC!

Thank you netgalley, the publisher, and Shakirah Bourne.

I absolutely love middle grade reads that involve different mythology. It was a very interesting story that had me hooked from the very beginning. I will be recommending this book to my kids. I've read other books by this author that was great as well and look forward to new books in the future.

What worked:
One of the main characters is autistic but the author includes him from a different angle. Ahkai doesn’t like physical contact or interacting with others but Jo is his best friend and neighbor. In some ways, Jo has more difficulty dealing with human relationships than him. She’s anxious about starting a new school year but becomes especially fearful when she learns Ahkai will be going to a different building. She’s desperate to get her assignment changed but she’ll need to convince her father first. To complicate matters, the daughter of a family friend is staying with Ahkai and his grandmother so Jo is afraid she’s losing her best friend.
There is a supernatural element to the story set in Barbados but the author introduces it gradually. Jo senses things are off and recalls a clash with a malevolent creature named Mariss from a previous book. Tales are told around town about the Heartman but Jo suspects they’re just stories to scare kids into behaving. However, she hears rattling sounds in the long grass and sees shapes in the night which makes her imagination take over. A magical tree holds malevolent spirits and she wonders if something wicked may have escaped. Could Mariss somehow be the one responsible for the disappearances of Jo’s cricket coach and teammate?
The strange things are unsettling but readers will become suspicious of two characters. Lynne has a problem with Jo even before they meet and it’s unclear why. She makes snide comments and amused facial expressions when Jo is upset. Jo overhears a conversation where Lynne says she doesn’t understand why Ahkai puts up with Jo. Readers will wonder about the untold secrets behind Lynne’s presence and wonder if she’s good or bad. Mr. Atkins is a teacher and he’s been behaving oddly. One of Jo’s teachers is dating her dad and Mr. Atkins has been treating the woman poorly. He can be found patrolling the streets each night and he seems nervous around the magical tree. Lynne and Mr. Atkins are behaving suspiciously which allows readers to speculate about what they are hiding.
What didn’t work as well:
Ahkai is described as being on the autistic spectrum but he doesn’t seem much different from other characters. As mentioned, he helps Jo deal with anxiety and offers her suggestions on how she might interact with others. There’s nothing wrong with this per se but I’m not sure why the concept of autism is attached to Ahkai. Maybe he behaves differently in the first book of the series.
The final verdict:
The concept of the Heartman is gory but the author adds an unexpected twist to the tale. The character relationships highlight the book, especially the clash between Jo and Lynne. Overall, I recommend you give this exciting book a shot.

Beware the Heartman
Shakirah Bourne
The focus of this book is middle school students.
Jo loves to play cricket and has not only made the Barbados Youth Cricket team, but she is a starting player. Cricket and hanging out with her best friend Ahkal are her favorite things to do. Life is good and nothing can stand in her way! Until it does. Her best friend Ahkal forms a new friendship, a new best friend! The girl, Lynne is irritating. has finally come to terms with her father and Ms. Alleyne dating. Jo hopes she and Ahkal both are accepted to Lamming Secondary school. Unfortunately, she will be attending Queen Mary College. She begs and pleads with her father to allow her to transfer to Lamming. Of course, Lynne was accepted at Lamming. Her problems just keep getting bigger, her cricket coach disappeared, then a boy on the team disappears. Could it be the Heartman? There is a strange individual prowling around in the shadows. He looks like the fearsome Heartman. The Heartman is a dark and sinister figure that stalks people and steals their hearts. Jo is afraid she might have lured him to the area. Or could Lynne be the Heartman? Jo doesn’t know who to talk to. Her dad is out of town. She could talk to Ahkal but Jo has too much pride to talk to her because she feels like been replaced by Lynne. She finally seeks Ahkal’s help only to discover he has disappeared. She is sure the Heartman has taken him. No one will take Jo seriously. The adults believe Heartman is a myth. But he’s not a myth, he’s real! She has to find his hideout soon or Ahkai will never be able to return.
This is a spooky tale. There are wicked creatures viciously attacking unsuspecting kids. I love this tale! Middle school students that like eerie tales will love this tale. There is tid bits of information about the Barbados as well has a great mystery. This is the third book in this series. Josephine is the main character in each book. Beware the Heartman has humor, fantasy, and tension.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy for review.